Tomato lentil chili

Here is the recipe I use for lentil chili, courtesy of Vegetarian Planet by Didi Emmons. She suggests using French lentils (lentilles du Puy) but I alway use the regular ones.   I like it with chunks of very sharp cheddar and little Anne loves it too!

1/2 cup butter or canola or corn oil
4 cups chopped onions
6 garlic cloves -- minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chile flakes
1/2 cup unbleached flour
4 1/2 to 5 cups water or stock
2 carrots -- chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
2 green bell peppers or poblano peppers -- seeded and cut
into 1/2-inch squares
3 1/2 cups peeled plum tomatoes (1 28 oz can)
3 medium ripe tomatoes -- chopped
3 cups dried brown or French lentils
1 to 2 dried chipotle peppers (optional) -- soaked in hot water
30 minutes
or
1 to 2 chipotle chiles canned in adobo (optional) - I have never actually used this
1 cup light-colored beer
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the
onions, and cook them for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder,
cinnamon, and chile flakes. Cook 2 minutes more.

Add the flour, and cook the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Slowly
whisk in 2 cups of the water or stock. Whisk until you have a smooth, thick
gravy, then add 2 1/2 cups more liquid, and whisk again. Add the carrots and
peppers. Then add the canned tomatoes, squeezing them one by one before
dropping them into the chili, so that they are somewhat crushed. Add the fresh
tomatoes, the lentils, the chipotles (if you're using them), and the beer. Add
the salt and pepper.Turn the heat to high, and when the chili starts to boil,
turn down the heat. Simmer the chili for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally,
until the lentils are tender.

Take the pan of chili off the heat. Fish out the chipotle peppers (if you've
used them), chop them, and return them to the pan. Add the cilantro. If the
chili seems too thick, thin it with a little water. Spoon the chili into bowls,
dollop sour cream on top, and serve.

Six years old

Few days ago

Fifth birthday

Fourth birthday

Third birthday

Anne's first fall

Get the camera

Elijah is increasingly more interested in his little sister these days.  It sounds as though she is now saying "Lijah" and it is clear that she is quite taken with him.  A few times he has picked her up and/or hugged her and then called for me to take a picture.  For a kid who has always been camera shy, this is quite a change. 

Shana tova

Eight months old

Kindergarten

Standing tall

Not even 8 months old and Anne is now STANDING!  Elijah and I counted an entire 10 seconds all by herself today.  Big brother and Mommy are very excited.

7 months old

I was so excited to capture a photo of Anne wearing striped tights for the first time but she was so wriggly that I couldn't really get them in the shot.  Anne is a very active little girl, she loves crawling and pulling herself up to stand.  She is just starting to "cruise" and her diaper is very helpful when she plunks to the ground.  No teeth, but she is a fabulous eater.  She eats many different fruits, veggies and grains.  She nibbled on a rice cake for the first time today and has also tried a nice variety of spices.  She enjoys being outside and has been hanging out on the swings at our play lot.  Her nanny tells me that she likes to read books but she seems to prefer chewing on them when I am around.  She is a friendly little person.  When it's time to say goodbye, she flings her arms up like an umpire signaling a touchdown and then swings them down with a big grin. She has a great squeal and I love it when she laughs.

Michianna